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The William Esty Kimball papers
document Kimball's activities as a blacksmith, general storekeeper, and postmaster
in Topsfield, Massachusetts.

Collection Number:

MSS 219

Scope and Content Note

The William Esty Kimball papers document Kimball's activities as a blacksmith,
general storekeeper, and postmaster in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Early general store
accounts include entire for blacksmithing as well as listing groceries, dry goods,
and fabrics purchased by local residents. The postmaster ledger begins one year
before Kimball's official appointment.

Biographical Sketch

William Esty Kimball was born in Topsfield, Massachusetts,
on January 22, 1805, the son of Benjamin (1778-1817) and Deborah (Esty) (1779-1879)
Kimball. In his earlier years he carried on a blacksmithing business in a shop. "He
afterwards removed the shop, and built a store, where he engaged in the grocery and
East India goods business, in partnership with Andrew Gould. He was one of the prime
movers in forming the Topsfield Warren Blues" (Long) and served as postmaster for
the town from 1841 to 1849. In 1828 he married Mary Ann Reed (1809-1883). They had
five children. While Kimball reside most of his life in Topsfield, he died in
Danvers on November 3, 1895.

Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in Philcat. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons,
or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Massachusetts. Militia. Topsfield Warren Blues

Blacksmithing

Dry-goods

General stores

Postal service

Topsfield (Mass.)

Account books

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research use.

Administrative Information

Copyright

Requests for permission to publish material from the collection must be submitted in
writing to the Manuscript Librarian in the Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex
Museum.